Images kindly supplied by Emma Smith
I love how the blog allows stories to unfold slowly, gradually adding more and more information and evidence as time passes; and so it is with the story of the Charles Ferrie narrowboat, which Ralph Ferrie donated to Brownhills Youth Club in 1962, and was named in memory of his father.
The original coverage of the story is here, complete with discussion of the youth cub and members.
Well, over the weekend Emma Smith got in touch with a collection of recently unearthed photos of the Charles Ferrie boat on a day trip… and we’d like to know where, please?
Emma wrote:
Hi Bob
My dad’s brother Maurice Smith recently came up with these fine photos of a day out on the cut on a Charles Ferrie narrowboat.
Can anyone help with the names of lads on board and the locations, please?
Maurice seems to remember Wolverhampton way but not sure.
One lad for sure other than my Uncle Maurice Smith is Edward Hassle who later became a Teacher at my old Primary School – Castlefort JMI in Walsall Wood.
Many Thanks
Emma Smith
Thanks Emma for that, a great contribution to the history of the Ferrie empire – it’s hard with such a larger than life character sometimes to get past the rumour and mythology, so every bit of material we can share and add to the story is wonderful. Thanks for your generosity.
If you can identify either places or people in these photos, or indeed, can add anything to the story, please do comment here, or mail me on BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.
Remarkable image of the unveiling of the Charles Ferrie narrowboat in 1962, Amy Ferrie holding the flowers I believe. Image supplied by Tony Winn.
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Shot with viaduct is at Oxley Wolverhampton
Hello Bob
I think the picture with the gasholder might be on the attached map. OS 1938 revision, published about 1945. Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.
Andy
I don’t think it is Oxley Viaduct, Oxley is more substantial and the locks are further away.
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/61790107
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/61789946
I reckon 4 of the pics are Wolverhampton 21, above and below the former gas works, 2 more are possibly up towards Anglesey, and the pic with Amy Ferrie, from memory was taken at Yates’s, or vicinity of Brownhills railway basin
The photographs were taken around locks 14-12 of the BCN “Main Line” adjacent to Wolverhampton Stafford Road Gas works. The photos show the barge heading south towards lock 13; in lock 13; in lock 12 adjacent to the Stour Valley Railway viaduct (the ex-GWR Wolverhampton LL to Wellington line bridge at Stafford Raod engine shed and works, can be seen in the distance through the arch), so the photo is looking south; leaving lock 14, with the bridge carrying the gasworks internal railway system in the background. The building in the foreground in the photos is another part of the gasworks. For the photo of the barge at mooring may I suggest either Calf Heath or Gailey – this is purely guess work based on the building in the background which is similar to structures found on the Staffs & Worcs canal, does not look like Brownhills but I’m sure some one will be able to pin point it and correct the error of my ways!
KR
Ian.
Nice one Emma. lovely photo’s
The third picture, could the fella holding the bottle be Ken Foster and I remember the fella on the right form Brownhills Youth club but not a name think he had something to do with the Fire Brigade
I think one lad is Malcolm cooper he was my year at the central and is on the class of 62 photo
One lad on the front of the barge is Malcolm cooper l think.He was in my year at the central and is on the class of 62 photo
Two of the lads by the lock are Ken Foster & Ted Hassel who were very big friends. I spent many a happy hour in their company in the late 60s early 70s.
Yes location of the shot I identified as Oxley is actually further towards Wolverhampton. The viaduct carries the LMS line over the cut and the girder bridge in centre took the railway past and into Stafford Road shed and works of the GWR.
Although younger than myself i can name a few there is barry horton graham ward colin taylor jeff wooton and some others i will recall later i am in touch occationally with graham ward so he will give me more names be in touch soon.